M & N Fast Foods & Restaurant

Was in the Kalihi area around lunch time and was looking for some grub. Was ono for some Filipino food and M&N was one of the first restaurants to pop up on my search. The food on their online menu looked fantastic and my mouth started watering. The prices advertised seemed very reasonable, so off I went. There is no designated parking lot, so street parking only. The establishment is very small, so I wouldn't plan to go there to sit and eat. The atmosphere isn't very inviting either, reflecting the outside environment of Akepo Lane, Mayor Wright's, etc. No big deal, it's all about the food, right? I found your typical hot bar set up with the standard filipino fare (pinakbet, adobo, fried chicken, rice, pancit, etc.). I instantly noticed that the posted prices were about $5.00 more than what was advertised online. Whatever, I already drove up and down the street 3 times to find parking. The woman serving the food was warm and inviting. I ended up getting a 3 choice plate. The garlic rice was ok, as was the pancit. The igado was flavorful, while the pinakbet had a sourness I wasn't accustomed to. They had a beef dish I wasn't familiar with which the server called beef with bitter sauce. I thought it would be similar to pinapaitan, which is one of my faves, so in decided to give it a try. Wasn't very fond of that dish. Beef was chewy and slightly sweet, with a strong aftertaste of bile, much more than what I'm accustomed to in pinapaitan. Bottom line, the food is ok. But factor in the cost of around $18.00 for a 3 choice plate, the lack of parking, and the rough ambiance, there may be better options out there for Filipino food for you to choose from.

Have your fill of Ilocano home style cooking at M&N near Tamashiro Market along King Street. Flavorful Ilocos foods of adobo, dinengdeng, pinakbet, chicken marungay, sweet or vinegar longanisa and more! Not oily, salty or overcooked but just right! Owners are very friendly and helpful. Dine in for a step back in time (70's vibe) and place (Laoag provinicial neighborhood); warp into the Philippines for delicious meal. Beware of 3% surcharge on credit card payments AND limited street parking. 2 & 3 choice plates are as high as $16 (outdated online pricing). 3-choice of pancit, dinuguan (Choco meat), pinakbet & longanisa (sweet & vinegar), heaven!

Filipino Auntie's are so warm. Mom and Pop Filipino restaurant. The menu changes daily. No frills, just great Filipino food in the heart of Kalihi.